OSHA Accident Investigation · Summary #14557821
HAND,BURN,FIRE,NATURAL GAS,PIPELINE,ACETYLENE TORCH,RUPTURE,BACK,FACE,CUTTING AND BURNING
Event description
Employee killed, others burned by natural gas flash fire
Investigation abstract
At approximately 9:30 a.m. on May 2, 1989, Employee #3 was cutting a 4-inch natu ral gas line with an oxygen-acetylene torch. The line was blind flanged both dow nstream and upstream of the cutting operation. Flimsy gasket material was used b etween the flanges to prevent the flow of gas. The gasket material ruptured unde r pressure, releasing pressurized natural gas. Flames erupted through a 2 inch v ent in the 4 inch pipe. The flame struck Employee #1, causing serious burns on a pproximately 90 percent of his body. He died on May 18. Employee #2 sustained bu rns to his face, back, arms, and hands. He was hospitalized and released. Employ ees #3 and #4 escaped with minor burns.
Victims (4)
-
#1 Fatality Age 53 M
- Nature of injury
- 5
- Part of body
- 31
- Event type
- 1
- Source
- 16
- Occupation code
- 867
- Human factor
- 4
- Environmental factor
- 11
- Hazardous substance
- 1640
- Task assigned
- 1
-
#2 Hospitalized Age 58 M
- Nature of injury
- 5
- Part of body
- 31
- Event type
- 1
- Source
- 16
- Occupation code
- 613
- Human factor
- 4
- Environmental factor
- 11
- Hazardous substance
- 1640
- Task assigned
- 1
-
#3 Non-hospitalized injury Age 27 M
- Nature of injury
- 5
- Part of body
- 9
- Event type
- 1
- Source
- 16
- Occupation code
- 783
- Human factor
- 4
- Environmental factor
- 11
- Hazardous substance
- 1640
- Task assigned
- 1
-
#4 Non-hospitalized injury Age 39 M
- Nature of injury
- 5
- Part of body
- 17
- Event type
- 1
- Source
- 16
- Occupation code
- 613
- Human factor
- 4
- Environmental factor
- 11
- Hazardous substance
- 1640
- Task assigned
- 1
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